Self-winding timepiece



Feb. 2; 1954 A. GAZDA SELF-WINDING TIMEPIECE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 28, 1952 ATTORNEYS Feb. 2;

GAZDA' 2,667,737

SELF-WINDING TIMEPIECE Filed Feb. 28, 1952 FIG. 4

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I: 47 i 37 INVENTOR 3 ANTOINE'IGAZDA,

w @vfM/Z ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 2, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELF-WINDING TIMEPIECE Antoine Gazda, Providence. R. I.

Application February 28, 1952, Serial No. 273,808

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to self-winding time pieces in general, and more particularly to selfwinding watches adapted for mounting in vehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide a selfwinding clock or watch particularly adaptable for mounting in the steering wheel of an automobile in full view of the operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-winding clock or watch which is reliable in operation when mounted upon a vehicle subject to at least minute movements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self-winding watch or clock which will wind the main spring of the mechanism regardless of the direction of the movements to which the vehicle is subjected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self-winding Watch or clock having a rotatably mounted pendulum for actuation of the main spring of the clock mechanism, and which pendulum on one side of the axis of rotation thereof is provided with an oscillating mass, and on the opposite side of the rotation axis with a quadrant having a plurality of pawls for coacting with a plurality of ratchet wheels driving through intermediate gears for winding the main spring of the mechanism.

In previous self-winding time pieces of this type, two pawls have coacted with a common single ratchet wheel and a non-uniform winding by the pawls has resulted.

In the present construction, due to the arrangement of the two pawls in conjunction with the plurality of ratchet wheels, a self-winding mechanism is provided in which the mechanism is wound uniformly by both pawls even at extremely small oscillation amplitudes of the pendulum. According to the present invention this is obtained in that each of the two pawls disposed on the same radial axis with respect to the axis of rotation of the pendulum and fixed at different distances from the axis of rotation, coact with superposed ratchet wheels of different diameters; the pawl lying farthest from the ro tation axis of the pendulum coasting with a ratchet wheel of greater diameter than the ratchet wheel coacting with the pawl closest to the axis of rotation.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide in self-winding watches or clocks, having a rotatably mounted pendulum, shock absorbing means of dififerent constructions to limit rotational movement of the pendulum and to absorb shocks in the clock mechanism.

Further objects and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, taken together with the accompanying drawings. It will be obvious that the present invention is readily adaptable for mounting on all types of vehicles, and that suitable casings or mountings to fit the individual need can be utilized.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the winding mechanism of a self-winding watch showing the oscillatable pendulum and cooperating gears and ratchet wheels for winding the main spring of the clock;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the pendulum for winding the main spring with the cooperating pawls and superposed ratchet wheels;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modified form of pendulum showing shock absorbing means for the pendulum, parts being omitted for clarity;

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional view of the device shown in Fig. 4 taken on the line 5-5;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of a modified pendulum showing a modified shock absorbing construction; and

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are partial views of three addigional shock absorbing constructions of modified orm.

In the drawings, a case [0 for containing the mechanism is shown and which case can assume any desired form or configuration. In the specific embodiment disclosed, the case is circular. The clock mechanism for actuating the hands of the clock with the exception of the main spring and cooperating gears is not shown on the drawings since it is not necessary for an understanding of the invention. It is also apparent that the specific gearing arrangement shown can be suitably modified within the skill of the art.

A main spring for the clock is shown at l I, and this spring is wound through a train of gears [2. The train of gears [2 has its lead gear driven by a spur gear, not shown, which is fixed to a ratchet wheel consisting of superimposed individual ratchet wheels l3 and I4 rotatably mounted on pivot I5. A pendulum I6 is rotatably or oscillatably mounted in the center of the case on pivot ll. It is not essential that the pendulum be centrally mounted in a case of different configuration. The pendulum l6 has a mass or weight l8 fixed at the end of one arm IQ of the pendulum and the opp0- site arm 20 of the pendulum is formed, radially opposed from the arm I9 with respect to the .in connection with Fig. 1.

upivot axis H as a sector having spaced arcuate surfaces 2! and 22 thereon.

In proximity to the surface 2 l, a pawl 23 is pivotally mounted for coaction with ratchet wheel it and spring biased by spring 24 to contact with the ratchet wheel. In proximity to the face 22, a second pawl 25 is pivotally mounted for coaction with ratchet wheel 53 and being spring biased into contact therewith by spring .28. The pivot points of the two pawls 223 and 25 are on thesame radial axis with respect to the axis of rotation of the pendulum.

As can be seen from Fig. l, the ratchet wheels 13 and it are mounted within the open sector of the arm 25 of the pendulum and are fixed with relation to o -e another for rotation about the pivot 55. The paw 25 which lies farthest away from the rotation axis ill of the pendulum i 6 coacts with the larger ratchet wheel l3 and the pawl 23 closest to the rotation axis of the pendulum coacts with the smaller ratchet wheel It. Due to this arrangement, both of the ratchet wheels, assuming ..al oscillation magnitudes of the pendulum it, are rotated by the pawls 23 and 25 through the sar e angle. Due t this arrangerne t, a i orm ding is achieved upon oscillation of the panoramas, and due to the opposite disposition of the two pawls, both of the ratchet wheels will always be rotated in the same direction.

For the purpose of limiting the oscillation movement or the pendulum within its effective orbit, and to prevent shocks to the clock mechanism, there is provided a member which covers onl a partial segment of a circle. On the free ends of the in her 22 there are arranged compression springs 28 and These compression springs are for coaction with the ends 30 and ii of the weight it of the pendulum in an obvious manner.

In the form shown in Figs. 1-3 th pendulum consists of a hollow tubular member 352 closed on one side and containing a heavy metal 33, such for example as mercury, lead, or the like, of a specific gravity considerably higher than that of the metal of which the tube how 32 is made. In this embodiment, the tube bow is curved to correspond with the shape of the case H3 The main spring can be provided with any suitable means to prevent over-winding.

In Fig. 4 of the dr: a modified type of pendulum is shown. In the there is mounted a plate 35 havi. out out portion 36. Extending downw rdly from the late and radially disposed an arm ii'i which is fixed and stationary. A pendulum is again oscillatably mounted by means of pivot lit. The upper arm A?) of this pendulum is the same as that shown in Fig, 1. The lower ii of the pendulum has a mass orweight 1-2 to provide the necessary oscillation to the pendulum. The mass 52 has a cut out portion on the ear side thereof as shown at which fits over and on opposite sides of the arm 3?. The cut out portion has fixed thereto on both sides compression springs The arm 31 and springs M, in conjunction with the limit ing end surfaces of the cut out portion 23, limit the oscillation movement of the pendulum and at the same time as buffers or shock absorbers. Obviously the springs 44 could be mounted on the arm instead of in the cut out portion an 1 the result would be obtained, as will appear hereinafter. The operation of this modified pendulum is thesame as that described Fig. 6 shows a further modification of a pendulum which can be utilized in the present invention. Here the weight or mass at the lower end of the pendulum arm designated i5 has an opening or slot 66 therein preferably of oval arcuate shape. A post ill of resilient material or covered by resilient material is fixed to the case and extends into the opening 36. On oscillation of the pendulum, the post ll will coact with the extremities of the slot 5 for limiting movement of the pendulum, and serve as a buffer.

In Fig. 7 there is shown a modification of the arm 3'! of Fig. 4 wherein instead of compression springs M, curved springs 48 are secured on both sides of the arm for coacting with the cut out portion 43.

In Fig. 8 the arm 31 is shown as having spiral compression springs mounted on two opposed sides thereof for coaction with the out out portion 43.

In Fig. 9 a post ll is shown as having a resilient covering 69 thereon of any desired material for use in the modification shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The operation of the device is believed to be obvious from the foregoing description. Whenever the vehicle is subjected to a movement, regardless of how slight, or if for example the steering wheel having a clock as above described mounted thereon is turned in any direction, the pendulum will oscillate in one direction or the other. Upon oscillation in either direction, the ratchet wheels !3 and i l will be actuated always in the same direction by the pawls 24 and 25. The gear train l2 will accordingly be driven in a direction to wind the main spring of the clock and over-winding will, as set forth above, be prevented.

In previously known devices a large amplitude of movement or vibration was required in order to properly actuate the winding mechanism and the oscillation of the pendulum had to Is continued over a considerable period of time in order to insure proper and adequate winding of the main spring of the clock. In the present device, however, due to the arrangement or" the plurality of ratchet wheels and the specific arrangement and size thereof, in conjunction with the arrangement and placing of the pawls, insures a uniform winding with even the slightest movement. It has been found, for example, that with the present construction and arrangement mounted on the steering wheel of an automobile that suflicient winding of the main spring is obtained in approximately 25 miles of driving to maintain the clock in working condition for a period of 8 days. In previous known constructions, utilizing but a single ratchet wheel and not having the particular arrangement of the present invention, at least 40 miles were required for the same amount of winding, and such factors as the amount of movement or vibration of the vehicle seriously affected this winding.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A self-winding time piece comprising a main spring for the time mechanism, a pair of ratchet wheels having different radii, means con necting said wheels with said spring, a pendulum, a pivot upon which said pendulum oscillates, a pair of spring-biased pawls on said pendulum coacting with said ratchet wheels, one of said pawls farthest from said pivot coacting with the larger of said ratchet wheels and the other of said pawls closest to said pivot coacting with the smaller of said ratchet wheels so that upon equal oscillation magnitudes of said pendulum said ratchet wheels are rotated by said pawls through the same angle.

2. A self-winding time piece adapted for mounting in vehicles comprising a main spring for the time mechanism, a plurality of concentric superposed ratchet wheels, a gear train connecting said ratchet wheels with said main spring, a pendulum oscillatably mounted on a pivot axis, said pendulum having diametrically opposed arms on opposite sides of its pivot axis, a pendulum weight on one arm of said pendulum, means on the other arm of said pendulum for coacting with and actuating said ratchet wheels to wind said main spring in response to oscillations of said pendulum, said means for actuating said ratchet wheels comprising pawls rotatably secured on said other arm of said pendulum differently spaced from the pivot axis of said pendulum, said ratchet wheels being also spaced from the pivot axis of said pendulum, each of said pawls coasting with a different said ratchet 6 wheel for actuating said ratchet wheels in the same direction when said pendulum oscillates in either of its directions, said pawls differently spaced from the pivot axis of said pendulum being' arranged on opposite sides of said ratchet wheels for eoacting' with separate ones of said ratchet wheels, said ratchet wheels being two in number and of difierent radii, that pawl farthest from the pivot axis of said pendulum coactin with the larger of said ratchet wheels and the pawl closest to the pivot axis of said pendulum coasting with the smaller of said ratchet wheels, whereby upon equal oscillation magnitudes of said pendulum said ratchet wheels are rotated by said pawls through the same angle.

:- ANTOINE GAZDA.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 332,023 Von Der Heydt Dec. 8, 1885 1,564,803 Warren Dec. 8, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 400,625 Germany Aug. 23, 1924 

